Quitting smoking?!

Quitting smoking?

What is the best first step to stop. I have only smoked for three years and i really want to stop while i'm still young. I have tried three times in the past, but i want to quit smoking this time once and for all. What is the best first step to take?

You've really got to make the decision to quit, and then just do it - no trying, just do it and don't stop doing it. Focus on the reasons you are quitting, not on what you think you are missing.

But there's not much point in tossing your cigs, if you don't fix the underlying reason you smoke. So why do you smoke? Lonely, bored, fidgety, low confidence or self-esteem, caught up in peer pressure, an excuse to indulge in self-guilt and pity, or just an out-of-date habit you don't need now?

Once you've quit for 48-72 hours, the nicotine is out of your blood and the rest of your addiction is in your head. The good news is that there are heaps of things you can do to replace your habit - and solve your underlying problems. Healthy snacks and things to do with your hands instead of putting a cig in your mouth, exercise, skills, hobbies and new activities to fill in your old smoking time, etc. All these make you feel good about yourself and give you the feeling of control over your life and future.

Educating yourself about what happens when you quit, what to do and so on, gives you a feeling of control. Have a look here: http://www.quitguide.com If you join up for the newsletter, you get a free guide to making friends without a cigarette in your hands, and the rest of the site is full of information to make quitting a breeze.